Uniform Crime Report shows 2011 numbers down in Atlantic County, up in Cumberland

Crime, particularly violent offenses, was down in Atlantic County in 2011 compared to 2010 but up in Cumberland County over the same period, according to statistics released Friday by the State Police.

Overall crime in Cape May County was about the same — despite a large increase in violent crime — notes the agency’s annual Uniform Crime Report.

Crime in Ocean County was up slightly.

In Atlantic County there were 10,801 total offenses — a 7 percent decrease — including an 11 percent decrease in violent crime and a 7 percent decrease in nonviolent crime.

The report was released late Friday afternoon. Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain could not be reached for comment.

In Cumberland County there were 7,041 offenses — a 16 percent increase — including a 6 percent increase in violent crime and 17 percent increase in nonviolent crime.

The biggest change was rape, which rose from 15 incidents in 2010 to 33 in 2011. There were small increases in burglaries, robberies and aggravated assault, as well.

Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said Friday evening she was not able to fully review the report, which she will do over the weekend.

"We will look at all the numbers to address trends and see what changes we can make to address them," she said.

In Cape May County there were 4,865 offenses — a 1 percent increase — including a 26 percent rise in violent crime and a decrease in nonviolent crime of less than one percent.

Prosecutor Robert Taylor also could not be reached for comment Friday night.

Of the violent crimes, murder, rape and burglary actually had decreases but robberies rose to 84 in 2011 from 61 in 2010 and aggravated assaults went up from 166 in 2010 to 211 in 2011.

In Ocean County there were 12,570 overall offenses — a 3 percent increase — including a 6 percent increase in violent crime and a 4 percent increase in nonviolent crime.

The number of murders in the county fell 66 percent from a dozen in 2010 to only four in 2011.

Overall crime rate in New Jersey increased three percent compared to the previous year. Violent crime remained unchanged in 2011, the report said.